Background/Aims: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a frequent complication of extended right hemicolectomy and subtotal colectomy. This study was conducted to assess the prophylactic effectiveness of intestinal tube splinting. Methods: Sixteen patients (study group) undergoing extended right hemicolectomy or subtotal colectomy were treated with and 18 patients (controls) without splinting. Clinical, operative and outcome data were entered into a maintained database. The main endpoint was subsequent SBO. Results: After a follow-up of 2–13 (median 6.5) years, the study group remained free from SBO. After 1–16 years (median 2), four complete and one partial early and one complete and one complete recurrent late SBO occurred in controls. Conclusion: Intestinal tube splinting was comparatively easy and expeditious from a technical point of view after extended hemicolectomy and subtotal colectomy. The procedure eliminated early and up to date also late postoperative SBO in this study and can be considered as a prophylaxis against SBO in this subset of patients.

Keywords:
Hemicolectomy, extended right, Colectomy, subtotal, Small bowel obstruction, postoperative, Tube splinting, intestinal
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© 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
2001
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